Jeff McDonald: Could McDyess wind up a Spur?

Just thinking (or typing) out loud here as news of the Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups deal makes its way across the World Wide Web …

From a Spurs perspective, the interesting thing about this soon-to-be-consummated deal between Denver and Detroit is what happens with the third-most notable player in the swap: Antonio McDyess.

McDyess reportedly doesn’t want to play anywhere other than Detroit, which could cause Denver to buy out his contract. If this happens, the Spurs would be remiss if they didn’t at least try and convince McDyess to come to San Antonio.

In many ways, McDyess seems like the perfect Spur: He is tough, he is defensive-minded, he is smart and, to quote a memorable John McCain appearance on Saturday Night Live, he is “very, very old.” He would also fill a perennial soft spot in the Spurs’ lineup next to Tim Duncan.

But wait, you say. Part of the reason McDyess would even be available is because he doesn’t want to play anywhere but Detroit. Last anybody checked, San Antonio was someplace other than Detroit. Why would he want to play here?

In San Antonio, as opposed to Denver, McDyess could conceivably have a chance to close his career with a shot at a championship. Maybe he could be convinced.

There are a lot of “ifs” to sort out, obviously. But if McDyess really does end up on the open market when the trade winds settle, he would make an intriguing option for the Spurs.

P.M. EDIT: Looks like there’s some speculation that McDyess could wind up re-signing with Detroit. That would be more than a little interesting, given what happened with Brent Barry in the aftermath of his trade to Seattle last season.